Identity theft is a frightening and overwhelming experience if it does happen to you. Identity theft occurs when someone wrongfully uses your personal identification to obtain credit, loans, services, even rentals and mortgages in your name. They may even commit crimes while impersonating you and you may not know it is happening for months or years. There are many ways to steal private information about you (i.e., anyone who has access to your social security number and other identifying information.) All of these offices have your information: Your doctor, accountant, lawyer, loan officer, health insurance, schools, courts, etc. Remember, you don't have to lose your wallet or have it stolen to become a victim of identity theft.

The Allen Park Police Department recommends that you take the following actions immediately:

Make police reports in jurisdictions where actual fraud occurred.

Obtain a copy of your credit history from one of the three main credit reporting bureaus.

Review your credit history and make sure there are no accounts opened or charges made that are fraudulent.

Copies of police reports generated by the Allen Park Police Department may be obtained at the Records Bureau.

Prevention Measures

Buy a cross-cut type shredder. Shred all your important papers and especially preapproved credit applications received in your name and other financial information that provides access to your private information. Don't forget to shred your credit card receipts.

Be careful of "Dumpster Diving." Make sure that you do not throw anything away that someone could use to become you. Anything with your identifiers must be shredded (cross-cut) before throwing away.

Be careful at ATMs and using phone cards. "Shoulder Surfers" can get your "Pin Number" and get access to your accounts.

Get all of your checks delivered to your bank - not to your home address.

Do not put checks in the mail from your home mailbox. Drop them off at a U.S. Mailbox or the U.S. Post Office. Mail theft is common. It's easy to change the name of the recipient on the check with an acid wash.

When you order new credit cards in the mail, or your previous ones have expired, watch the calendar to make sure that you get the card within the appropriate time. If it is not received by a certain date, call the credit card grantor immediately and find out if the card was sent. Find out if a change of address was filed if you don't receive the card or a billing statement.

Cancel all credit cards that you do not use or have not used in 6 months. Thieves use these very easily - open credit is a prime target.

Put passwords on all your accounts and do not use your mother’s maiden name. Make up a fictitious word.

Empty your wallet of all extra credit cards and social security numbers, etc. Do not carry any identifiers you do not need. Don't carry your birth certificate, social security card, or passport, unless necessary.

Memorize social security numbers and passwords.

When a person calls you at home or at work, and you do not know this person, never give out any of your personal information. If they tell you they are a credit grantor of yours call them back at the number that you know is the true number, and ask for that party to discuss personal information. Provide only information that you believe is absolutely necessary.

Do not put your social security number on your checks or your credit receipts. If a business requests your social security number, give them an alternate number and tell them why. They do not need that to identify you. If a government agency requests your social security number, there must be a privacy notice accompanying the request.

Do not put your telephone number on your checks.

Get credit cards and business cards with your picture on them.

Do not put your credit card account number on the Internet (unless it is encrypted on a secured site.) Don't put account numbers on the outside of envelopes, or on your checks.

When you are asked to identify yourself at schools, employers, or any other kind of institutional identification, ask to have an alternative to your social security number. Unfortunately, your health insurance carrier often uses your social security number as your identification number. Try to change that if you can.

In conjunction with a credit card sale do not put your address, telephone number, or driver's license number on the statement.

Monitor all your bank statements from every credit card every month. Check to see if there is anything that you do not recognize and call the credit grantor to verify that it is truly yours.

Order your credit report at least twice a year (I have enclosed the addresses for you on the sample letter.) Review it carefully. If you see anything that appears fraudulent, immediately put a fraud alert on your reports by calling the numbers below.

Immediately correct all mistakes on your credit reports in writing. Send those letters Return Receipt Requested, and identify the problems item by item with a copy of the credit report back to the credit reporting agency. You should hear from them within 30 days.

Write to your State and Federal Legislators to demand stronger privacy protection. Also, ask that identity theft be considered a crime in your State. Demand that the State Finance and Banking Committees pass legislation to protect consumers from negligent bank and credit reporting practices.

Consider making your phone an unlisted number or just use an initial.

Make a list of all your credit card account numbers and bank account numbers (or photocopy) with customer service phone numbers, and keep it in a safe place. (Do not keep it on the hard drive of your computer if you are connected to the Internet.)

Source: Identity Theft and Privacy Expertise of Mari J. Frank Man is an attorney and the author of the Identity Theft Survival Kit (Porpoise Press, Inc.1998, 2000). She has provided oral and written testimony and has published many articles regarding privacy and identity theft issues.
For more information: www.identitytheft.org